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Types of Surveys
Guidelines used to conduct my surveys and reports are, United States Coast Guard CFR 33 and 46, the National Fire Protection Association Standard (NFPA), the American Boat and Yacht Council Standards (ABYC), and I inspect all onboard systems. The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) are used in the valuation of the vessel. These mandatory and voluntary guides ensure that inspections and reports you receive will be completed to defined safety regulations, the best boat building practices available, and an ethical valuation process. (See "Market Value of Boats page)
   
CAUTION
Remember, there are no requirements for a seller to inform you of any deficiencies. Disclosure laws in any state can be avoided easily. That boat brokers first responsibility is to his client, the seller. Your offer to buy should be contingent upon a survey and sea trial no matter what surveyor you use! This survey report can be used for financing and insurance and has been used by sellers to find and correct deficiencies and optimize selling price.
Pre-purchase Condition and Value
A complete condition and valuation survey is conducted in and out of the water within the limitations of non-destructive technology. The boat is inspected at the dock, and out of the water for the below the water line inspection, and a sea trial is performed. Every part of the vessel that can be inspected must be inspected! Included in this report are the current fair market value, replacement value, and suitability of the intended use. Construction and systems capabilities and deficiencies are documented with appropriate recommendations where applicable. The report lists an inventory of equipment and the required compliance with current Coast Guard requirements.
Insurance Survey
This survey is to provide insurance companies and underwriters’ documentation and evidence of the condition and value of the vessel. This is a fairly complete hull and system survey but may not require a haul-out for inspection of below the water line equipment, and may not require a sea trial. Your insurance company will specify what they want in their inspection parameters. All the boats capabilities, deficiencies and recommendations are documented. Upgrades and improvements are listed and a current fair market value determined.
Damage Survey
This survey is specific and documents all damage incurred from accident or loss. Included is the pre-casualty fair market value, master's or owner's statements, findings and recommendations, surveyor's/yards estimated costs of repairs, and all official reports and affidavits for an insurance claim. This survey is specific to the damage but I inspect the total vessel to ensure no other hidden damage has occurred.
  
Corrosion Survey
This survey is conducted with the vessel in the water. It measures the electrical voltage on all below the water-line metal parts and fittings to ensure that equipment is protected from galvanic corrosion (dissimilar metals), and tested for stray current from the dock or nearby vessels (electrolysis). Diagrams, voltage values, bonding issues, zincs and other observations and recommendations are provided. Metals corrode in saltwater and DC stray current can eat expensive thru-hull fittings, props, shafts, and even internal engine parts in days if they are without protection.
Hull or Thru-Hull Fitting Voltage Potential
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METAL |
ERODES |
PROTECTED |
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BRONZE |
300 Millivolts |
600 +- 100 Millivolts |
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STEEL |
500 Millivolts |
850 +- 100 Millivolts |
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ALUMINUM |
650 Millivolts |
800 to 1050 Millivolts |
Aluminum is an amphoteric metal, readings over 1200 millivolts can cause harmful overprotection, creating alkali corrosion and possible hydrogen blistering of the paint.
Engine Analysis
The focus is on the engine or the propulsion system. A visual and physical inspection of all hoses, clamps, bolts, and gaskets, and the pressure testing of some internal engine components. This also includes the electrical output of starter, alternator, and batteries, with engine oil spectrometer analysis, coolant inhibitor test, and infrared temperature readings of exhaust components and engine room, plus carbon monoxide and noise decibel levels.(some of these I conduct on a average survey) Deficiencies and recommendations are detailed. This analysis can be expanded to include transmissions, shafts, logs, struts, and even propeller sizing. This is not a substitute for a complete engine survey by a factory trained engine surveyor or the engine dealer, this is a preliminary in-depth inspection when problems occur or to expand a pre-purchase survey and at a reduced costs. A complete engine survey, in my opinion, includes compression tests, distributor and injector tests, computer analysis when equipped, back pressure and crankcase tests, etc., etc. Those I do not conduct, too many different engines, too much investment for tools, and I did my stint as a Porsche mechanic for seven years, it's not any fun to me. (see Engine Room page)
   
Rigging Analysis
Rigging analysis is a visual inspection of chain plates, turnbuckles, swivels, wire and wire ends to find cracks, broken wires, and corrosion at end of the standing rigging, above deck level while the vessel is in commission. Masts, booms, and their fittings are inspected, as is all sail handling gear and running rigging to the extent that I may even use a mini 100 power microscope if I see something that needs closer inspection. Again, this is not a replacement for a thorough rigging survey or by a Certified Rigging Surveyor, this is an in-depth inspection and analysis when rigging questions surface or to expand the scope of a pre-purchase survey. A thorough rigging survey, in my opinion, can only be conducted when the mast and wires are removed from the boat, dye penetrate testing is preformed at all swaged fittings, suspected tangs and hounds, etc., or rod rigging is x-rayed, and the mast and boom visually inspected, internally, etc. Here in the tropics, boats and masts are not stored for the winter as they are on the Eastern Seaboard, so if you’re going to pull the stick(s) and your rig is only a few years old, contact me early. Penetrate testing procedures take time to conduct, but I can let you know how to organize so that your not paying me, except to do the test. (See rigging page)
   
Infrared Imaging
This is a 21st Century diagnostic optical scan using a state of the art thermal imaging camera. It measures and documents thermal temperatures within a real time, live photo scan of the hull, deck, machinery, electrical, or any system under inspection. I provide a Thermal and digital photo report that maps out precisely moisture intrusion and extent, electrical component overheating, or whatever those system malfunctions are that have been inspected. It's non-destructive testing, kind of like an Xray but without the radiation. This technology has been used in medical, airline, space, and other high-tech industries for years. Again, I charge by the hourly consultant fee, so contact me and I will help you set up for the scan.
Injectors Hulls Electrical
  
System Surveys
Any on board system can be inspected individually, maybe to ensure correct function, or for upgrading, or even compliance with current regulations for commercial and pleasure vessels. These surveys may be for black or gray water discharge, steering, navigation, AC or DC electrical systems, anchoring, or even galley, just about any system installed or you want to install aboard a vessel. All system information is documented with recommendations and diagrams, federal compliance, and availability of current or new equipment. Why repair or modify a system twice or three times when the correct system can be correctly installed the first time.
  
Appraisals
In the start of 2005 the IRS changed the rules for donations concerning boats. As it appears now, the allowable deduction may be based on the selling price after donation and within the parameters of the applicable tax bracket you are in. Please check with your tax preparer. Appraisals with "Fair Market Value" are still valid for estates, in divorce proceedings, equipment and asset determination, etc. This survey is similar to an insurance survey in determining fair market value, condition, etc.
Contact me at,
Phone: 808-375-8260
Email: Bob@BoatSurveysHawaii.com
Robert J. "Bob" Dupuis AMS
Marine Surveyor/Consultant
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